the Ancestors & Descendants of John A. Adams

Colonel Joseph Henry21 Adams (John20, JOHN19, ISRAEL18, SARAH17, ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 21 March 1790 in North Andover, Essex, MA, and died 01 July 1861 in Boston, MA. He married Sarah Brown White 12 November 1816 in Haverhill, Essex, MA, daughter of Samuel White and Lydia Ayer. She was born 29 September 1793 in Haverhill, Essex, MA and died 26 April 1859 in Boston, MA.

Notes for Colonel Joseph HenryAdams: MILITARY: Settled in Boston where he became Lt. Col. Of the Independent Corps of Cadets

OCCUPATION: President of the Ocean Insurance Co. In 1842 was elected President of the North East Mutual Marine Insurance Co., a post he until his death. The Insurance Companies of America, dated 1856, lists the N.E. Mutual Marine Insurance Co. Among listed persons are: Joseph H. Adams, President; Joseph H. Adams, director; John Adams, clerk.

Information gathered from the following sources:

The Genealogical History of Robert Adams of Newbury, MA by Andrew N. Adams

Vital Records of Andover, MA to 1850

Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts by William R. Cutter, 1908

Lewis Historical Publishing Co.

Personal Papers of Henry Shaw Adams (1961)

Joseph Henry Adams owned a house in North Andover. It was the original home of his grandfather, John Adams. Joseph Henry used it as a summer home and the house is listed on the tax records in his name in 1854 and 1857. In 1872 in is listed under J. Adams and in 1885 under O. Adams. He also owned and lived in a house in Boston on Beacon Hill, No. 22 Beacon Street.

Notes for Sarah Brown White: MARRIAGE: The reception after her marriage to Joseph Henry Adams was held at the home of her Great Aunt, Mrs. Mary White Duncan at “the Buttonwoods”. “Buttonwoods” is now the home of the Haverhill Historical Society.

Notes for Joseph Henry Adams, Jr.: He graduated from Harvard[1] in 1837 and was a Civil Engineer. He surveyed the Eastern Railroad from Boston to Portland. Later, he became Examiner in Chief of Interference in the Patent Office in Washington, DC.[2]

The Joseph Henry Adams house in North Andover was owned in 1857 by Joseph Henry Adams, in 1872 by John Adams, in 1885 by O. Adams. This was the ancestral farm originally owned by Major John Adams.

Notes for Dr. William Johnson Dale: A book on Haverhill, in the Haverhill Library R974141 N86.17 by Michael L. Johnson, 1984. Historical Sketches of Andover, MA (Comprising the Towns of Andover and North Andover) by Sarah Loring Bailey, Pub Boston, 1880 by Houghton Mifflin & Company.

Notes for Edward Franklin Adams[3]: He was an insurance agent in Haverhill, MA. He is also the Uncle that J. Fred Adams worked for a time. He died suddenly of apoplexy in Haverhill. A handwritten note from Gregory Laing, librarian of the Haverhill Public Library lists his occupation and place of residency as follows:

It is interesting to note that Edward Franklin Adams is not buried with the Adams family in North Andover. He is buried with his mother’s people, the White families of Haverhill in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill, MA.

Notes for Julia Maria Adams[4]: Married, 23 September 1868, James E. Gale of Haverhill, MA. There was no issue from this marriage.

Hannah21 Adams (John20, JOHN19, ISRAEL18, SARAH17, ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 18 December 1791 in Andover, Essex, MA and died 28 May 1859. She married Daniel Appleton, Jr. 04 May 1813 in Andover, Essex, MA, son of Daniel Appleton. He was born 10 December 1785 in Haverhill, Essex, MA and died 27 March 1849 in New York, New York.

Notes for Hannah Adams[5]: Married, 04 May 1813 to Daniel Appleton, Jr., Esquire, of Haverhill and Boston. He was born in Haverhill, MA 10 December 1785.

Notes for Daniel Appleton, Jr.: He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. After a few years of schooling, he started a general store in Haverhill. He moved to Boston in 1825 where he sold dry-goods imported from England[6] (business office at 21 Broad Street). He moved to New York where he gradually combined the importing of books with the dry-goods trade. The book department was placed in charge of William Henry Appleton, his eldest son. This was in Exchange Place.

Later, he moved to Clinton Hall, Beekman Street, and devoted himself to the importation and sales of books, abandoning his dry-goods business. He founded the famous Appleton Publishing House and published his first work in 1831. He gradually diversified. In 1841, he began offering children’s books. In 1845, he began sending books to Latin America which — despite his lack of contacts — turned out to be a good market for him due to its recent independence from Spain. His business in that region was enduring and profitable. In 1847, he started offering travel literature[7].

The firm he established in New York City became known as D. Appleton & Co. The publications of the house extend over the entire field of literature. Its American Cyclopaedia was for 50 years the largest and most widely circulated work of its kind ever produced in the United States. His company was continued by his descendants.

Charlotte21 Adams (John20, JOHN19, ISRAEL18, SARAH17, ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 29 May 1796 in North Andover, Essex, MA and died 27 July 1871 in North Andover, Essex, MA. She married Lt. Isaac Osgood 14 July 1821 [JAM1] in Andover, Essex, MA; son of Isaac Osgood, Esq. and Rebecca Taylor Pickman. He was born 23 May 1799 in Salem, Essex, MA and died 02 September 1834 in North Andover, Essex, MA.

Notes for Lt. Isaac Osgood[8]: Of Andover, master mariner. Commanded the ship Henry Tuke in the India trade, and died on the passage from Java to Boston, 2 Sept 1834. His gravestone is located in Ridgewood Cemetery, North Andover, MA. A picture of his gravestone is in possession of Gareldine A. Adams; taken 13 May 1994.

Major John20 Adams (JOHN19, ISRAEL18, SARAH17, ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 26 February 1766 in Andover, Essex, MA and died 28 September 1839 in Andover, Essex, MA. He married Dorcas Faulkner 08 December 1789 in Andover, Essex, MA, daughter of Joseph Faulkner and Hannah Hovey. She was born 24 September 1766 in Andover, Essex, MA and died 23 September 1837 in Andover, Essex, MA.

Notes for Major JohnAdams: OCCUPATION: Farmer and sometime soldier.

MILITARY: Brigade Major in the State Militia and served at the time of Shays’ Rebellion. Commissioned as a Captain in 1793, he served as adjutant to General Lovejoy. Called “John Adams Jr., Gentleman.” He lived on the family homestead in N. Andover, MA. Lieutenant and Major Adams died at the age of 73.

The settlers of Newbury were not religious enthusiasts or pilgrims who fled from religious persecution in England. They were substantial, law abiding, loyal English tradesmen, of that staunch middle class that was the backbone of England.

Those that settled Newbury came at different times and on different ships, between the end of April, 1634 and July, 1635. In one of the first ships arriving in 1635, came Thomas Parker a minister along with a small company of settlers. They went first to Agawam (Ipswich) and later along with their countrymen, who came from Wiltshire, England, to Newbury.

The first settlers came by water from Ipswich, through Plum Island Sound, and up the Quascacunquen River, which was later renamed the Parker River. These settlers came to Newbury in May or June of 1635. Ships from England began to arrive almost immediately with cattle and more settlers. Governor Winthrop, in his history of New England under the date of June 3, 1635, records the arrival of two ships with Dutch cattle along with the ship "James", from Southampton bringing more settlers.

Newbury was, therefore, begun as a stock raising enterprise and the settlers came to engage in that business and to establish homes for themselves. In total fifteen ships came in June and one each in August, November and December bringing still more families to the settlement.

There is no record of how many families arrived in the first year. Houses were erected on both sides of the Parker River. The principal settlement was around the meeting house on the lower green. The first church in Newbury could not have been formed before June, as some of those recorded at its formation are not recorded as having arrived until June.

In the division of land the first settlers recognized the scripture rule, "to him that hath shall be given," and the wealth of each grantee can be estimated by the number of acres given him.*

When they arrived in Massachusetts, the settlers found that the state had established the Congregational form of religion. Everyone was taxed to support the Congregational Society and was commanded to attend worship at the meeting house. The Reverend Thomas Parker was a member of the stock raising company and was also the minister of the settlers.

The outlying settlers had a long journey to the meeting house. The congregations were in danger of attacks from Indians and wild beasts on their way to and from worship. There was a constant dread of attack during the time of services and all able bodied inhabitants were required to bring their weapons to church. Sentinels were posted at the doors.**

In spite of the hardship and danger, the population steadily increased in number and gradually improved its worldly condition.

Israel19 Adams, Jr. (ISRAEL18, SARAH17, ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 26 January 1733/34 in Andover, Essex, MA and died 15 May 1809 in Rindge, NH. He married Elizabeth Stevens 20 November 1760 in Andover, Essex, MA. She was born about 1738 and died 09 November 1809 in Rindge, NH.

Notes for Israel Adams, Jr.[1]: He settled in Rindge, New Hampshire in 1772. DEATH: Genealogical Record of Rindge, NH. P. 426.

Children of IsraelAdams, Jr. and Elizabeth Stevens are:

i.

Joshua20 Adams

Notes for Joshua Adams: Supposed to have been killed at the Battle of Plattsburg in 1814

Captain/Deacon John19 Adams (ISRAEL18, SARAH17, ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 03 July 1735 in Andover, Essex, MA and died 27 June 1813 in Andover, Essex, MA. He married (1) Hannah Osgood 23 November 1758 in Andover, Essex, MA, daughter of Peter Osgood. She was born about 1714, baptized 01 June 1718 in Andover, Essex, MA and died 22 October 1771 in Andover, Essex, MA. He married (2) Hannah Thurston 24 June 1773. She was born 25 December 1743 in Rowley, Essex, MA and died 22 January 1774 in Andover, Essex, MA. He married (3) Mary Holt 21 May 1776. She was born about 1740 and died 09 November 1829.

Notes for Captain/Deacon John Adams: Page 309, Historical Sketches of Andover, by Sarah Bailey, lists some of the provisions sent by the people of Andover during the Revolutionary War. Among them, “To pay Lieutenant John Adams for making six pairs of shoes”.

OCCUPATION[2]: He was a cordwainer (shoemaker) and a soldier in the French and Indian War. Served at Cape Breton and Ticonderoga; also served in the Revolutionary War at Cambridge and at Saratoga. He was commissioned as a 1st Lt. in Captain Nathaniel Lovejoy’s Company; Col. Samuel Johnson’s Regiment in April 1775 and became a Captain of Militia. According to the DAR index, Vol. 36, p. 333, “Major John Adams responded to the Lexington Alarm under Col. Samuel Johnson.”

John Adams was a deacon in the church at North Andover, and was termed, “John Adams, gentleman”.

The births of Israel and John are given in the records of both Andover and Littleton, MA. He bought of his father-in-law, Peter Osgood, the Adams homestead on the southeast end of the Great Pond in Andover, MA.

He died of Black Jaundice.

Notes for Hannah Osgood: FATHER: Peter Osgood, page 373, Vital Records of Andover, MA. Her gravestone gives her age as 78 years, which would make her born the same year as her husband, John, 1735*. (*may not be correct gravestone – Vital Records of Andover, MA states that she died in her 57th year.)

Notes for Dr. Isaac Adams [3]: He was a student at Harvard College, class of 1789, but did not graduate. He became a physician and practiced his profession in Newburyport, MA, but afterward engaged in trade and made several voyages as master of a vessel. Removed finally to Michigan.

[1] Page 34, A Genealogical History of Robert Adams of Newbury, Massachusetts and his Descendants 1635-1900 by Andrew N. Adams, published 1900, the Tuttle Co. Printers, Rutland VT.

[2] A Genealogical History of Robert Adams of Newbury, Massachusetts and his Descendants 1635-1900 by Andrew N. Adams, published 1900, the Tuttle Co. Printers, Rutland VT. Vital Records to 1850, Andover, MA.

[3] Page 73, A Genealogical History of Robert Adams of Newbury, Massachusetts and his Descendants 1635-1900 by Andrew N. Adams, published 1900, the Tuttle Co. Printers, Rutland VT.

Israel18 Adams (SARAH17, ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 24 February 1707/08 in Newbury, Essex, MA and died 16 October 1789 in Rindge, NH. He married Tabitha Farnum 20 March 1732/33 in Andover, MA, daughter of Thomas Farnum and Hannah Hutchinson. She was born abt. 1707 in Andover, Essex, MA and died 18 February 1804 in Rindge, NH.

Notes for Israel Adams: BIRTH: He was the son of Sarah Adams and was called “Benoni” in early life. He became a cordwainer (shoemaker) in Andover, MA.

MILITARY: He was a soldier in the French and Indian War[1]. Israel Adams petitioned, 30 March 1756, showing that “he had a son who, on his return from Lake George to the Thirtieth day of March Instant, his son hath been incapacitated for any business & continued in a weak state of heath.” Etc. Israel and wife, Tabitha, removed from Andover, MA to Rindge, NH in the year 1772. He died 16 October 1789, aged 73, and his widow died 18 February 1804, aged 97. These dates are thus upon their headstones.

[1] A Genealogical History of Robert Adams of Newbury, Massachusetts and his Descendants 1635-1900 by Andrew N. Adams, published 1900, the Tuttle Co. Printers, Rutland VT. Vital Records to 1850 of Andover, MA.

Captain Abraham17 Adams (ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 02 May 1676 in Newbury, Essex, MA and died 08 April 1763 in Byfield, Essex, MA. He married Anne Longfellow December 1703, daughter of William Longfellow and Anne Sewell. She was born about 1684 and died 24 September 1758 in Byfield, Essex, MA.

Notes for Captain Abraham Adams[1]:Abraham began life as a sailor and became a sea captain. He made numerous voyages to the West Indies and to England. His father, Sergeant Abraham, gave him a farm above the falls in Byfield (now ‘Highfields’) and he built there the house shown as it now appears in the frontspiece, the home of Mr. George W. Adams (1880). In it are the original deed of the estate and two chairs which were brought to her new homeby the bride. Many other relics – desks, spinning wheels, tables, chairs, warming pans, china, pewter, a tall clock, a sword used in the battle of Bunker Hill, the diary of Josiah Adams, silhouettes of colonial men and maids are among the treasures of the house. Captain Abraham became a successful farmer and died in Byfield at the age of 86.

Notes for Anne Longfellow[2]: Anne Longfellow was the daughter of William and Anne (Sewell) Longfellow. William came from England and was the ancestor of the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His wife, Anne, was the daughter of Henry and Jane (Dummer) Sewell, and sister of the Honorable Chief Justice, Samuel Sewell. Anne Longfellow Adams died at the age of 74 years.

Children of Abraham Adams and Anne Longfellow are:

i.

Stephen18 Adams. Notes for StephenAdams: Died young.

ii.

Samuel Adams, b. Newbury, Essex, MA; d. 08 May 1791; m. Mary Jewett Brown, 26 November 1747. Notes for Samuel Adams: He succeeded to the Homestead, Newbury-Byfield (Highfields), and is described as a shrewd businessman who acquired a large property. He went with four of his sons as soldiers in the war of the Revolution and his house was a rendezvous for all the patriots. He died 08 May 1791, aged 73 years. His widow died 17 November 1812 at the age of 90 years.

iii.

Anne Adams, b. 29 April 1705, Newbury, Essex, MA; d. 1787, Kingston, NH; m. Robert Stuart, 11 December 1727; b. 26 November 1701; d. abt. 1778, Kingston, NH. Notes for Robert Stuart: He was born 26 November 1701 and died near the close of the Revolutionary War. They settled in Kingston, NH. Their first home in the woods of Kingston (afterward Newton), NH was a log cabin. He had been an employee of Gov. Dummer at Rowley. He was a Baptist and helped to organize the first Baptist Church in New Hampshire at Newton in 1755. He built a church of logs called “Stuarts Church” and supported the preaching, refusing to pay the town minister’s tax for which an unsuccessful attempt was made to arrest him.

iv.

William Adams, b.08 May 1706, Newbury, Essex, MA; d. 1766; m. Elizabeth Noyes, 17 April 1728; B. 16 January 1707/08; d. 1787 Notes for William Adams: He settled in that part of Rowley which is now Georgetown, MA and built a house (long after occupied by his son-in-law, Benjamin Adams, Jr.) on land which his father, Captain Abraham had purchased as early as 1721/22. The house was burned in 1800. He was one of the original founders of the church in Georgetown in 1732, then the 2nd parish of Rowley. He was a farmer and died in the winter of 1765/66. His will was made 9 May 1765, proved 24 March 1766 and makes mention of his brother, Abraham, and the nine children.

v.

Mary Adams, b. 26 September 1707, Newbury, Essex, MA Notes for Mary Adams: She married 30 September 1728, Thomas Poor of Andover, MA. Died without issue.

Notes for Abraham Adams: He was a tanner in Metheun 1743-1747, but resided most of his life in Rowley (now Georgetown) on what was the Shute place, Nelson Street. His mind became unsound and he hung himself in the entry of his house, 18 September 1771, age 56 years.

Notes for Mary Coleman: She died of fever at the birth of triplets, 06 May 1752, age 35 years. The children died the same day.

Notes for Reverend Joseph Adams: The banns were published 29 November 1746 for Joseph and the widow Mary Greenleaf of Newbury. He graduated from Harvard College in 1742 and became a “zealous new light preacher”, his converts organizing a church in Newburyport. He settled in Stratham, NH in June 1756 and died there at age 65. All the information on the children of Captain Abraham and Anne Longfellow came from The Genealogy of Robert Adams of Newbury by Andrew N. Adams. Originally published 1900 (reprint 1983).

Notes for Reverend Benjamin Adams: He was a twin (but no mention is made of the other child). He graduated from Harvard College in 1738, became a teacher, then a minister, ordained at Lynn (now Lynnfield), MA, 5 November 1755, where it is said he died in his pulpit, 4 May 1777, age 57.

Notes for Henry Adams: Henry was a farmer near his father at Newbury-Byfield. He died at the age of 51.

Isaac17 Adams (ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 26 February 1678/79 in Newbury, Essex, MA and died 03 September 1775 in Boxford, MA. He married Hannah Spofford[3] 24 April 1707, daughter of Samuel Spofford and Sarah Burpee of Rowley, MA. She was born 17 February 1683/84.

Notes for Isaac Adams[4]:Isaac died in Boxford, 03 September 1775, aged 96 years. According to information on file at the LDS Library in Salt Lake City, UT, Isaac married Hannah Burpee, 24 April 1707 in Newbury, MA.

Notes for Captain Isaac Adams: He settled in Boxford, MA in 1738; was commissioned as captain of the 2nd Co. of militia of Boxford, 01 September 1762. Was selectman for 14 years; represented the town in the General Court in 1783, and the three years following, also in 1778. He died on his home farm, age 83 years.

Sarah17 Adams (ABRAHAM16, ROBERT15, ROBERT14, RICHARD13,JOHN12, JOHN11,JOHN10, THOMAS9, ROGER8,JOHN AP7,JOHN AP6, THOMAS AP5,JOHN AP4, WILLIAM AP3,JOHN AP2,JOHN AP1) was born 15 April 1681 in Newbury, Essex, MA and died 22 March 1734/35 in Andover, Essex, MA. She married (2) John Hutchinson 28 January 1714/15. He died 08 March 1746/47 in Andover, Essex, MA.

Notes for Sarah Adams:According to information by Gregory H. Laing of the Haverhill, MA Public Library, the following has been unearthed: Sarah Adams named her fatherless child “Benoni”, meaning ‘child of my sorrow’. She refused to name the father and was committed and fined until she informed the court of his name. At that point, she accused Thomas Morris of being the father. We still know nothing about Tom Morris and his subsequent activities. Sarah later married and moved to Rindge, NH.

This account of the birth of Israel is received from an old record in possession of Mrs. Julia A. M. Spofford of West Boxford, MA – one of the descendants. It has been published in the Essex Antiquarian, Vol. II, No. 2, February 1898. It is also given in “Robert Adams of Newbury” by Pierce.

Its correctness is disputed and another account given of Israel’s ancestry by John M. Adams of West Lebanon, Colombia Co., NY. He claims that Israel was the son of Abraham Olney Adams and his wife, Hannah La Grasse, daughter of Donald La Grasse of Drumlanrig, Scotland; that he was born in Quincy, MA in 1706, removed to Keen, NH and thence to Andover and Littleton, MA, finally to Rindge, NH where he died 16 October 1789. That he married (1) Mercy Holdridge of Stonington, CT in 1726; (2) Tabitha Farnum; (3) Polly White of Providence, RI.

Abraham Olney Adams, according to this account, was born near Charlestown, MA, 11 January 1680 and was the son of Stephen Olney Adams who was b. 18 April 1620 in Tenterden, Kent, England; married (1)Lydia Hartwell 01 May 1645 in Maidstone, England. She died in Maidstone 1650. Stephen Olney Adams was an officer in Cromwell’s Army and was wounded in the battle of Worcester, 03 September 1651. Fleeing to America to save his life, he settled near Charlestown, MA and married (2) Priscilla Durrie, who was the mother of Abraham Olney Adams and others. She died in 1718, aged 98 years. It is stated that the only child of Israel by his first wife, Mercy, was Stephen b. 06 June 1727 in Rowley, MA.

Note: If Priscilla Durrie was to be the mother of Abraham and others, it is difficult to imagine a woman of 60 years old to be of child-bearing age. (See page 26 of “Robert Adams of Newbury” for further information on this dispute.)